Cannabis Cultivation in Bel-Air/Rivière-Sèche: A Mother Spends the Night in Custody, Son Turns Himself In on Thursday

An indoor cannabis cultivation operation valued at Rs 1.6 million was dismantled on Wednesday in Bel-Air/Rivière-Sèche during a raid conducted by the Anti-Drug and Smuggling Unit (Adsu) of St-Pierre. Police uncovered 25 cannabis plants, one kilogram of harvested drugs, and significant equipment for indoor cultivation.

This operation followed intelligence gathered over time by investigators, indicating that a resident of this eastern village was a key link in the cannabis supply chain in the area. On Wednesday morning, Adsu officers went to the home of their target, Krishna Soobrayen, alias Youvin, located on Clency Lane. In his absence, a search was conducted in the presence of his 57-year-old mother.

Inside the house, officers discovered two fully equipped tents, including lighting and ventilation systems designed to optimize indoor cannabis cultivation. The seized plants measured between 70 centimeters and 1.6 meters. Additionally, 28 bags made of raffia containing fertilizers were also found.

With the main suspect absent during the search, his mother was arrested and detained. She appeared before the Moka court on Thursday, where she was charged with drug trafficking before being released on bail.

Krishna Soobrayen, actively sought since Wednesday, turned himself in at the Adsu headquarters on Thursday. He was provisionally charged with "Drug Dealing: Possession of Cannabis for the Purpose of Selling with an Averment of Trafficking."

The investigation, conducted by the anti-drug unit in St Pierre, continues to determine the extent of this illegal activity and identify any potential ramifications.